YES to YOUTH Announces the Honorees of the 2025 Gala

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Drum roll, please! With great excitement, YES to YOUTH officially announces the honorees of its 2025 fundraising gala, to be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. Each year, it is a highlight of the gala to honor an individual and a local business or organization that has made a significant impact on YES to YOUTH’s mission of serving youth in crisis.

The Honoree of the 2025 Gala is William D. Malone, Jr., who has graciously supported YES to YOUTH – Montgomery County Youth Services for more than 15 years. The retired ExxonMobil executive and his family have generously supported and participated in countless events over the years. His wife, Leona, was previously honored by YES to YOUTH for her dedicated volunteerism.

In 2020, during his tenure as board president, Malone helped guide the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw the completion of a major expansion of the BridgeWay Youth Shelter, and led the initiative to fill several key leadership roles.

“Bill Malone is most deserving of this honor,” said Michele Kooken, CEO of YES to YOUTH. “He has put his heart and soul into our organization and is extremely committed. Bill has attended nearly every event we’ve hosted in the last five years and is a regular volunteer at our BridgeWay Youth Shelter. More than that, he is an enthusiastic advocate for YES to YOUTH in the community and strives to connect us with other corporate, nonprofit, and community partners.”

The chosen Community Partner Honoree of the 2025 Gala is Rotary Club of The Woodlands. A steadfast supporter of YES to YOUTH, Rotary Club of The Woodlands has volunteered regularly at the shelter, providing quarterly activities and support for the youth. During the holidays, they gift each resident a gift card and accompany them on a personal shopping trip to Target – creating cherished memories and moments of joy for youth who will not be spending the holidays with their family.

Last year, Rotary Club of The Woodlands chose YES to YOUTH as the charity beneficiary of their annual “Into The Woods” Halloween fundraising event. The proceeds from this event funded a much-needed outdoor lighting project for the walkways connecting the buildings at the BridgeWay Youth Shelter campus, ensuring a safe path for youth and staff.

Kooken shared, “We selected Rotary Club of The Woodlands as the Community Partner Honoree for multiple reasons. Their involvement is so heartfelt, and they are so passionate about our mission. They embody the spirit of service and are genuine and fun – they really give their all, as the Rotarians do.”

For this year’s must-attend event, the gala is themed “Bridgeway to a Brighter Future”. Funds raised will support the nonprofit’s BridgeWay Youth Shelter. Stepping into the roles of co-chairs for this are Evan Berlin, Shannon Regan, and Amber Scheer, who have been long-time supporters of YES to YOUTH. This powerhouse trio brings passion, creativity, and heart to this beloved annual celebration.

The mission of YES to YOUTH is to strengthen the emotional and mental health development of youth and families by providing crisis intervention, mental health counseling, and suicide prevention services. Through the BridgeWay Youth Shelter, youth (ages 10-17) are provided a safe and nurturing home where abused, battered, sex-trafficked, homeless, and at-risk youth begin healing from the past and become empowered for the future. Also included are prevention presentations and crisis counseling in schools, parenting and youth skills groups, and a 24-hour crisis hotline at 888-756-8682.

YES to YOUTH is a community-based youth services nonprofit that has provided more than 46 years of service to youth and families of Montgomery County. The beloved organization is proudly among the prestigious 2025 list of Hometown Heroes, as recognized by Interfaith of The Woodlands.

For more information about YES to YOUTH, visit www.sayyestoyouth.org.

Rotary Club of The Woodlands photo names (L to R):

Seated: Judy Olson; Cindy Heiser, President-Elect for Rotary Club of The Woodlands; Dr. Ann Snyder

Standing: Andres Briceno; Gower Brown; Deborah Klein; Matt Bottorff; William Malone; Ann Wolford; Jennifer Applegate; Evan Berlin

(photo by Sean Thompson)

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